Bananas, cocoa nuts, and guavas, are common; but the
few pineapples brought to market are not remarkable either for
flavour, or cheapness. Besides the inducements to lay out money already
mentioned, the naturalist may add to his collection by an almost endless
variety of beautiful birds and curious insects, which are to be bought
at a reasonable price, well preserved, and neatly assorted.
I shall close my account of this place by informing strangers, who may
come here, that the Portuguese reckon their money in rees, an imaginary
coin, twenty of which make a small copper piece called a 'vintin', and
sixteen of these last a 'petack'. Every piece is marked with the number
of rees it is worth, so that a mistake can hardly happen. English silver
coin has lost its reputation here, and dollars will be found preferable
to any other money.
CHAPTER VI.
The Passage from the Brazils to the Cape of Good Hope; with an Account
of the Transactions of the Fleet there.
Our passage from Rio de Janeiro to the Cape of Good Hope was equally
prosperous with that which had preceded it.
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